Waxwings, Eventually found in Ipswich

With so few Waxwings about in the South of England this winter, we decided this morning we would try to locate the small flock in the Ipswich area.

The last report on the Waxwings yesterday reported that they had flown from the Cedarwood School entrance into the nearby housing estate at 9.35am. But there had been no further reports made on the Waxwings since that time.

Leaving around 6.30am, the 75 mile trip seemed to take even longer than normal, given the amount of traffic cones and average speed check signs along the route.

We found the school without any problems, but there was no sign of any Waxwings. What we didn't know before leaving this morning was the huge size of the housing estate that the birds had last been seen flying towards.

The next hour saw us driving round all the side roads of this estate trying to locate the flock. With no sign we eventually ended up back at the school. Brian and dad decided they were going to walk a short distance around the back of the school. On their return they managed a very brief view of the Waxwings flying out of a tall tree. Another tour round the local housing estate with no luck followed.

Just as we were pulling up outside the school again, news came through that the birds had been re-located outside a house on Colchester Road.

Colchester Road was just 2 miles from where we were parked up.  

Luckily having reached the road, the birds were seen before parking the car. Before long there was a small crowd gathered, consisting of birders, photographers and locals.

The birds were feeding on mistletoe berries within the tree, and would stay among the branches before dropping down onto the berries briefly and then returning to the upper parts of the tree. The views through the bins were good enough, but getting photos would prove far more tricky.

On the drive home we dropped in at Abberton and pulled up along Layer Breton causeway for a quick scan of the area.

Two male and a redhead Smew were quickly found along the back edge of the reeds, there was also plenty of Goldeneye around, with both male and female on show.

Last week we tried and failed to locate the small flock of White-fronted Geese that have been present this winter. Today another search was more fruitful, when six White-fronts were found resting up under trees with a few Greylags.